Martigny lies at the bend of the Rhône, between the plain and the vine-covered hillsides above it. Finding a gardener in Martigny means, first of all, finding someone who knows this dry, sunny climate, where summer calls for water and winter, colder, reaches the higher ground. You can entrust them with routine upkeep as well as a restoration, pruning or the complete creation of a garden.
Climate and terrain in Martigny
The Rhône valley is one of the driest regions of Switzerland: rainfall is low, summers are hot and the sun is generous. A garden here needs a different approach from the Swiss Plateau. What grows effortlessly elsewhere can suffer here as soon as the heat sets in, whereas Mediterranean plants, herbs and fruit trees thrive.
The terrain varies a great deal depending on the location. On the plain, close to the river, soils are often light and free-draining: they warm up quickly but hold water poorly. On the hillsides above the town, among the vines, plots are sloping, sometimes stony, and call for retaining structures, good drainage and plants that hold the soil. Wind can also be felt in the valley and tire young plantings.
In winter, the plain remains relatively mild, but the cold is real and snow reaches the higher ground. Gardens at chalets and second homes, further up, need more careful preparation before the bad weather.
The gardening year in Martigny
Spring
As soon as the soil warms up, it is time to get things going again: clearing the beds, pruning shrubs that have flowered, reseeding the lawn and planting. In a dry climate, it is worth loosening and enriching the soil before planting, and mulching to retain moisture. It is also the right time to check an irrigation system before the hot season.
Summer
The Valais summer is hot and dry: watering becomes the main issue. Watering deeply, early in the morning or in the evening, is better than frequent small amounts. Mowing is done higher to protect the grass from drought. A well-set automatic irrigation system avoids waste and keeps the garden in good condition while you are away, which matters for second homes.
Autumn
The heat eases and the ground is still warm: this is an excellent time to plant trees, shrubs and hedges, which take root before winter. Leaves are cleared, pruning is done where needed, beds are prepared and water circuits exposed to frost are drained. It is also the season for tree pruning.
Winter
The garden goes dormant. Depending on the altitude of the plot, sensitive plants are protected from the cold, walls and banks are checked after bad weather and spring projects are prepared. It is the ideal time to ask for a quote for a garden creation or landscaping project, so that work begins when growth resumes.
The most requested work in Martigny
Garden maintenance
For an owner short of time, or a second home occupied only now and then, garden maintenance keeps the garden presentable all year round. The gardener adjusts visits to the rhythm of the seasons: more frequent in spring and autumn, more focused on watering in summer.
Lawn mowing and care
In a dry climate, a lawn needs precise care: cutting height, watering, reseeding. Lawn mowing and care prevents summer yellowing and bare patches.
Hedge trimming
Hedges mark the boundaries of villas and co-owned properties. Hedge trimming is adjusted to the species and the season, to keep a hedge dense and healthy rather than bare at the base.
Tree pruning and removal
Fruit trees, ornamental trees or large specimens close to a house: tree pruning and removal require equipment and experience, especially on sloping ground. A professional works safely.
Automatic irrigation
In the Rhône valley, automatic irrigation is often the first worthwhile investment. Drip irrigation for beds and hedges, sprinklers for the lawn: the system is programmed to save water.
Gabions and retaining walls
On the hillsides, the slope means soil has to be held back. Gabions and retaining walls make it possible to create level terraces, stabilise a bank and make a sloping plot genuinely usable.
To check before certain work
Some work is regulated. Tree removal, planting hedges on a property boundary and garden structures (pergola, shelter, wall, pool) depend on cantonal rules and the municipal regulations. Check with the commune before starting. The landscape gardener who takes on your request can guide you on the steps to expect.
Making a request
- You describe your project online: type of garden, approximate area, what you would like to do.
- A professional landscape gardener from the region contacts you and visits the garden if necessary.
- You receive a free quote and are free to accept it or not.
Requesting a quote takes a few minutes.
Around Martigny
To compare with other areas, see the page on gardeners in the canton of Valais and all the areas where requests are handled.
Frequently asked questions
Does a garden in Martigny need a lot of watering?
Yes, more than elsewhere in Switzerland: rainfall is low and summers are hot. It is better to water deeply and less often, early or late in the day. Automatic irrigation and mulching limit water consumption.
Which plants suit a Rhône valley garden?
Plants that tolerate sun and drought thrive there: herbs, Mediterranean perennials, hardy shrubs and fruit trees. The gardener will advise you according to the exposure and the type of soil on your plot.
How do you landscape a sloping garden on the hillsides?
It is structured in terraces, with gabions or retaining walls, suitable drainage and plants that hold the soil. Each plot is assessed on site: a landscape gardener comes to look at the slope before proposing a solution.
Can I entrust the upkeep of a second home?
Yes. Maintenance is planned through the seasons, with regular visits even in your absence: mowing, pruning, watering, restoration before you arrive. Mention it in your request so that the gardener can adapt the quote.
When should I ask for a quote for garden work?
From winter or the end of autumn for larger projects, so that they begin when growth resumes. For routine upkeep, you can make your request at any time of year.